Sultan chicken

The Sultan is a Turkish breed of crested chicken. The name derives from the original Turkish language name of Sarai-Tavuk, which translates as "fowls of the palace".[1]: 159  They have always been primarily ornamental, having been kept in the gardens of Ottoman sultanate.[1]: 159  In the West they are bred for competitive showing as part of poultry fancy, and are generally a rare sight.[2]: 173 

Sultan
Conservation statusStudy
Other namesSarai-Tavuk, Sarai-Täook
Country of originTurkey
Useornamental
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    • standard: 2.75 kg
    • bantam: 740 g
  • Female:
    • standard: 1.8 kg
    • bantam: 625 g
Egg colorwhite
Comb typeduplex
Classification

The breed was first exported from its native country in 1854, when a Ms. Elizabeth Watts of Hampstead, London brought a small flock to Britain.[2]: 173  It was seen in North America by 1867, and was recognized officially by acceptance into the American Poultry Association's Standard of Perfection in 1874.[1]: 159 

Sultans have a great deal of decorative plumage, including large, puffy crests, beards, long tails, and profuse foot feathering. Their small, V-shaped combs are almost entirely hidden under feathering. Sultans are also one of a minority of breeds to have five toes on each foot.[2]: 173  With males weighing approximately 2.7 kilos (6 pounds) and hens 2 kilos (4 pounds), they are the smallest of the large breeds of chickens. They also have a bantam version.

Sultans appear in three varieties: black, blue, and white,[1]: 160  with white being the most well known.[3]: 65  Hens lay small white eggs at a slow rate, and do not generally go broody.

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sultan (chicken).
  1. Carol Ekarius (2007). Storey's Illustrated Guide to Poultry Breeds. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781580176675.
  2. Chris Graham (2006). Choosing and Keeping Chickens. London: Octopus Publishing. ISBN 9780793806010.
  3. Christine Heinrichs (2007). How To Raise Chickens. St. Paul, Minnesota: Voyageur Press. ISBN 9780760328286.
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